Retired Glencoe Public Safety Officer Loses Birthday Court Battle

GLENCOE, IL — A Cook County judge last month agreed with the village in a case brought by a longtime public safety officer who wanted to continue working after his 65th birthday, Pioneer Press reported. Officer John Cegielski, a Lake Forest resident who began working for the Glencoe Public Safety Department in 1978, sued the village in April because he wanted to be able to complete an even four decades of service and maximize his chance of being promoted to lieutenant, according to the Glencoe News.

Cegielski denied his lawsuit had nothing to do with getting a larger pension, although in court documents he cited a lost portion of income and "monetary and non-monetary benefits" associated with getting a potential promotion, Pioneer Press reported. He said he was not surprised by the ruling, considering the village had employed "seven high-powered attorneys" to fight the case. Village Manager Phil Kiraly said Glencoe had no authority to delay retirement and remained grateful for Cegielski's service, according to the Glencoe News.

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